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Friday, December 31, 2010

I was always content with my Coffee Bean Hot Vanilla. It's like sipping special sweet milk on a cold day or a cold CBTL store. I was never a fan of the Coffee Shops during my college years and I am only beginning to enjoy working and eating in a coffee shop while time slips away. I'm also a fan of the CBTL Spicy Tuna Linguini. I recently bought a Swirl Card for my WIFI use (need to spend at least P45) at The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf and I chanced upon the Limited Edition Blue Swirl Rewards Card and the Sony Vaio promotion.

Thursday, December 30, 2010

I love my Allied Bank Mabuhay Miles MasterCard. It's the coolest way to spend my money. What's the secret to saving money in spending money? It's not only the miles. It's not using your credit card as a credit card but as a debit card. I need to condition myself to spend only what I have and if I have both the cash and the credit card, I choose to pay via credit card and separate the cash already in my wallet. The Ultimate Reward - Miles to Everywhere in the World and a chance to practice holding that cash until I clear it with the bank.

I know the banks may already be closed for the holidays and this post came a little too late. I cleared all my outstanding accounts today in preparation for the New Year. I feel so light and I am looking forward to my next credit card statement indicating a P 0.00 balance there. The key to getting that zero credit card balance is not adding any more expenses to the record or if you really have to spend, pay that debt and your accountabilities before that billing man arrives.

I waited until Christmas to open my gifts. I obviously love receiving gifts. I don't share the same views as to giving them though. I don't force myself to conform with the Holiday Rush (as well as the Pasalubong Rush, see my Saving Tip # 4 in this link). I prefer to give gifts-for-no-occasion than gifts-for-an-occasion.

As a travel blogger, I found the following items useful from Quirksph.com – the Travel Luggage Scale and the Save Money Box. I wish I could have them under my post-Christmas tree this year… Total: less than 1500 for both practical things!

Monday, December 27, 2010

I have decided to share my rocky relationship just to join this contest and Steal These CamSafe Anti-Theft Bags from Pixel Pro Camera Stores. Vince is giving away a bag worth P6000 and another one worth P4000.

Back to my story - Well, HE (clue: he's the boy) just gave me a Lumix GF1 as an advanced Christmas gift and I was still deciding a few days before Christmas if I would give it back to HIM.

My plan is to take in the sights and flavors of Italy without an itinerary. All I need are maps and a plane ticket. To be lost is an adventure in itself. To meet new people is always an experience to remember.

That sometimes, it's not just all about the destination, it's the journey on how you get there that matters (even just by dreaming about it, maybe the universe will conspire to make it happen if it sees your effort and desire).

To win this luxurious hotel stay is enough savings when traveling abroad. Like it or not, the accommodations do take up a big chunk of your spending for travel, especially when you want comfort partnered with your trip. If I can win it, then I will only answer, "Why not?"

Thursday, December 9, 2010

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Sure, your pictures didn't make it to the Trust is... Photography Competition. Good things don't stop there. Here's another chance to win that Complimentary Stay in Oakwood Asia Pacific.

Friday, November 26, 2010

It is time to share my thoughts and advocate something of real value to our society. I didn't know about people who care, PMAP (People Management Association of the Philippines) in this instance, until they reached out and introduced the High Flyer Campaign.

Do you have what it takes to be a High Flyer? Are you a parent? Encourage your sons and daughters to be High Flyers. What is a High Flyer? Click here.

You might just win an all-expense paid trip to Singapore or Boracay courtesy of SEAIR! There are consolation prizes too!

Monday, November 22, 2010

What do you first think of when you hear "Ugg"? Mine was caveman during that first time I heard about this travel essential. I looked down on my happy friend's feet during that cold winter month in Beijing and I told myself that I had never seen such hideous and primitive-looking shoes in my life. The name they gave it made me laugh every time as I quickly formed an image that I was with women from the ice age. The fad, however, took the whole city by storm. Everywhere I looked, there were happy and satisfied Ugg Boot customers all around me. I managed to try it on one night and was surprised that I felt warm in an instant. I shrugged all the shivers away. At that time, I knew that a pair of cavewoman ugg boots was the key to end my winter blues. Plus, the higher the better. Slowly, I felt the urge to buy one and accepted my change of heart (that it wasn't as bad-looking as I thought).

What would I get out of 50x fairer skin? No one knows for sure. It might be a shot to get noticed for my face instead of other unflattering parts. I might just be discovered and become an overnight star. I was thinking something in the likes of traveling and not bothering what I look like anymore because I know I look gorgeous and perfect already (even if I eat a lot in my travels). It might just give a little boost of confidence. How about a confident, pampered and perfect traveling star?

Monday, November 15, 2010

We all choose to travel or to go to a place because we all choose to travel to go to a place. No matter where we are, we are who we are. We have the power to create anything we want. Even if you're not a blogger and if you are far away, you can win this trip from Unionbank.

Monday, November 8, 2010

Another great opportunity has come wrapped as a very attractive gift. It's the chance to find long-lost friends through the WOW Amazing Asia Photo Contest. I've been trying to reconnect with old friends through Facebook and other social sites but I haven't been successful for some because they don't live here in the Philippines. Through this contest, I found out about Koolred, a community about traveling. Hopefully, I can either win by finding my friends or winning the trip to Indonesia, Thailand or Malaysia.

My Long-Lost Korean Friends and Jerry, Also My Long-Lost Indonesian Friend who took this picture

Traveling is also about meeting new friends, cherishing our moments together and keeping the connection alive. If you see them, tell them I said, "Hi!"

Unfortunately, it wasn't accepted so I just submitted this:

Staring at everything is just one thing to do in Inner Mongolia, China.

Sunday, November 7, 2010

Thank you for supporting Girl-Kuripot's Giveaway! As some of you may know, my main blog is the travel blog Guiltless Getaways. Getaways can be short or long as long as you go somewhere that comforts you. You can make the most out of traveling, sometimes without spending much, but it requires effort and some luck. Here, you'll always find contests with travel-related prizes, good deals, my other interests and my stand in life.

I am very happy to announce that I will be giving another freebie! Girl-Kuripot can be your gold ticket to that getaway somewhere in the metro!

Clue: It is still related to traveling because it's a foodie adventure to the newest place in town! It's the perfect giveaway for Girl-Kuripot. Most of all, there are 100 slots to give away so here's a chance to spend the day with your friends and family!

Joining the raffle giveaway won't take 5 minutes. If you still haven't joined the Meyerf Travel Pack giveaway (last day November 20, 2010!), click here.

Thursday, November 4, 2010

Thank you for supporting Girl-Kuripot! It's been up for almost 1 month now and as always, I just want to share my passion for joining contests and making the most of my life through my blogs. As some of you may know, my main blog is the travel blog Guiltless Getaways. You can make the most out of traveling, sometimes without spending much, but it requires effort and some luck. Here, you'll always find contests with travel-related prizes, good deals, my other interests and my stand in life.

I am very happy that I will be the one giving the prize this time around!

Clue: It is still related to traveling, practical and saves you money too! It's the perfect giveaway for Girl-Kuripot.

Is there such a thing as winter in the Philippines? They say Batanes has four seasons! I'd love to find out for myself and for everybody who is as curious as I am. Every year, we flock to other cooler international destinations to escape the Manila heat. Locals frequent Baguio because of the high altitude and cold weather. We also go to Tagaytay because of its proximity to Manila and the cold weather. I love cold weather escapes because you know you're not in Manila anymore. Sometimes, we just want to get away from it all and get a sense that we are on vacation. Why not go to Batanes?

Tuesday, November 2, 2010

I don't intend to win but I am qualified to join anyway since I am a member. Hurray for my first post as a KoreaTaste.Org blogger! Should I stress again that I love Korea and Korean food?! I love the Philippines too.

I write for the love of travel and food. Now you know why I've been busy. Don't join if it's not for the community. I will continue to write about Korean food even after this contest in guiltlessgetaways.blogspot.com.

I found some left-over melons in our fridge! It was not in season so although they were pretty juicy, the taste wasn't as attractive enough to eat the pieces one by one. I wanted to make some Melon Juice but I wanted the meat shredded and not squared so it was too cumbersome for that.

I came up with Strawberry-Melon Milk Shake after thinking that maybe 2 fruits were healthier than 1. The milk would prevent osteoporosis and the shake can ward off the heat. It just made sense to do everything without spending anything.

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This blog is expanding by post! Thanks to Flow for the inputs and for encouraging me! I want to include my attempts at improvised cooking. Sometimes, you just can't find those darn ingredients or you just have to make do with what you have at home because you're too lazy to go to the supermarket.

I woke up late one afternoon and couldn't find any prepared and cooked food on the table for lunch. Here's what happened:

Tuesday, October 19, 2010

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Do we always have to buy tokens for our trips? I hope I'm not alone with this mindset (I grew up in this culture of mandatory pasalubongs and souvenirs). I have just stopped buying souvenirs that I just pick out of a store and have no real value to me when I go home. I am not encouraging others not to buy but do not just buy for the sake of not losing face. I am saying that if you aren't a collector, then stop yourself from buying things in your trips that will only be forgotten once you get home. I am saying that if you can't find a gift to take home or if you don't have time to buy then don't buy anything. Save that little money for your next trip and most importantly, save your memories.

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I remember my mom told me these words once or twice when I was still learning to shop: "If you want something, buy it at that moment or you may end up regretting it when it's gone." It can become pretty easy to splurge too when you're spending someone else's money, be it your parent's or if you have a doting boyfriend or husband. That phrase has been stuck with me ever since and it was my shopping guide for the longest time (because it makes sense). I have struggled to deal with that habit especially during that shift when I was earning my own money as my conscience kept on torturing me to use my savings.

I am still a work in progress but I am better at controlling my impulses now than before. My trick: I intentionally let my poor memory get in the way and make it work to my advantage.

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Okay, so I was doing some research on Iloilo bloggers (for my upcoming trip) and I came up with almost nothing in Blogger. I was too tired going through 400+ entries to extend my search in WordPress. It is a little discouraging to blog when you see that some just have one or two entries from two or three years ago and did not continue anymore. I even saw a handful with the same template I used here.

I want to encourage blogging because it is a free means to express yourself and your interests if you don't take into account the electricity and internet bills. This post is my way of encouraging myself to continue with what I started through blogging, to go even further by extending myself outwards and to take things to the next level.

I think that it is also worth mentioning that there is a Visayas Blogging Summit happening in Iloilo on November 27, 2010. The event is free if registered. The airfares are reasonable (Air Philippines being the cheapest) and the hotels don't cost that much (they have a partner hotel). The Iloilo tour is an added bonus (minimal fee I think) since you are already there. It's my chance of a lifetime since I do love traveling (My Travel Blog: Guiltless Getaways) with friends and meeting new ones in the process. I heard it's the first of its kind in the Visayas.

Sunday, October 17, 2010

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Living in Manila? Jot down Yellow Cab's number: 789-9999. Can't remember? Just think of the joke about why 7 is afraid of 9 (For those who don't get it, it's because 7 ate(8) 9...then think that 7 ate a lot of 9s for the 9999-my version of the joke "Why is 7 SOoo afraid of 9?").

Friday, October 15, 2010

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Don't have the patience or the time or the stomach to rummage all the sale items in the pile in A store? Multiply that with a few more stores plus the crowd will leave you wishing that you shouldn't have come in the first place (especially when you can't seem to find anything to buy).

Saving Tip # 2: If you can't fight the urge not to buy, then do not torture yourself. Save yourself, however, from the headache, the regret and any ill-feelings by thinking of a specific article of clothing the night before. Start with "I need a top for my gimik next Saturday... then to I need a sleeveless top for my gimik next Saturday... and narrow it down further to I need a white sleeveless top for my gimik next Saturday and so on. This will help qualify your search in every pile that you find per store and it will feel like a treasure hunt for that best white sleeveless top (thus it will be more fun and not irritating). Ignore anything that is not a top, not white and is not sleeveless. If you don't find it, maybe it's not meant to be? You'll forget about it unless you really really need it.

Thursday, October 14, 2010

Share This on Twitter!SM Cinema will give away free limited edition IZOD watches for the first 200 SM Cinema Facebook Fans to register at the Grand Launch of Box Office Wheels at Mall of Asia this October 16, 2010. Registration starts at 1pm.

Wednesday, October 13, 2010

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Are you a Philippine passport holder? Normally, you would have to get a visa to go to Taiwan. Book that flight to Taiwan spontaneously while the fares are low and increase your pocket money by doing this! Check out my post on how you can travel to Taiwan without having to spend P2500 for a Taiwan visa. It is ideal to do this one month before departure.

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Last chance to declare your dream destination! KLM might just make your dreams come true. The promotion will end on October 18, 2010. Apparently, they have been giving 2 tickets every week since August. May they grant my dream to get healthier and fatter as I eat my way through Italy.

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Want to learn more about the Philippine Stock Market? CitisecOnline will be hosting the "biggest Market Briefing ever" on October 27, 2010 at Newport for free. Only CitisecOnline customers may register for this event (the link was sent by email) but I get to invite 5 more people (non-CitisecOnline) to go with me. The event is called The 2010 COL October Market Briefing - Riding the Bull with Growth Companies.

Tuesday, October 12, 2010

I will share my love to the kids of Kythe by suggesting that we put up another helpful and proven program like Locks of Love and willingly donate our beautiful hair (which we will cut off anyway) so that we may heal the hearts too of those who have lost their self-esteem to cancer. It was the same effort that has been tested here for cleaning up the oil spill in beautiful Guimaras. We have the heart to help our country and our countrymen. The Real Love Campaign is existent now as proof. - This is my statement.

Thursday, October 7, 2010

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Looking for a way to increase your PAL mileage aside from spending all your money from traveling or buying stuff through your credit card? Everybody has a chance to earn this one through equal luck, that is, if you do it. Mabuhay Miles had just joined the bandwagon. All you have to do is to update your contact details until December 18, 2010!

Wednesday, October 6, 2010

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No money to travel yet? Watch the all-new TLC Channel, formerly Discovery Travel and Living. I just saw what's it like to spend without caring in Dubai on TV. While you're at it, join the Experience of a Lifetime contest. The price is, obviously, an Experience of a Lifetime. I know it's all about luck but your eyes are slowly being opened to another part of the world at the same time.

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Here's what I figured out. The best things in life are free if you are free to do it. Join me in this journey to make a little bit of money than I have and create more opportunities for myself. Remember: Money is not all cash.

Girl-Kuripot.com Disclaimer: I can only guarantee my own GK Giveawaysand rest assured that this site Girl-Kuripot.com is for Pinoys (both men and women) living in the Philippines. If you fall under this category, you can join (depends only if there is an additional age limit, female or male only limit, geographical area limit like Manila only or skill requirement, etc.) as this is the first thing I look at in the terms section but (still) please read the terms and eligibility requirements beforehand so that you are also well informed. It is your responsibility to determine the validity of each promo, contest or offer, review the rules, full mechanics or terms then decide whether or not you wish to enter into anything posted on this site (I always indicate a source at the end of the post). I try my best to filter out promos which are too good to be true but my dreams of travel extend to the whole world so it is normal to find prizes like trips/stays outside of the Philippines (I have won some all-expense paid trips abroad from experience). There are some contests and promos in this site that are also open to other countries (not only from the Philippines) or worldwide (everyone). If it helps for you to know, I also enter most of the contests here - at my own risk, except for my own giveaways obviously. You can check out the section under "GK Joined" below and my Twitter (@miloodee) for more contests/giveaways =) Enjoy the site! - Love, GK

GK Tip: Have your passports, photos, adventures and stories ready =)

Read More Stories, Multi-Cuisine Food Trips and Guiltless Experiences in Manila and Beyond - Chinoy Travel Blogger from the Philippines at www.meloy.co!